Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Review - From Man to Man by D.E.M. Emrys

‘I’ve traded my old enemies for just this one…’ The axe thundered home. ‘I miss the old ones.’

Every man has a past, none more so than Draven Reinhardt. Abandoning his old life to settle down as a villager, he struggles to fit in, let alone hold down a job. When opportunity offers the much needed coin, Draven is torn between a promise and a purpose.

But, what’s one last job if you’ve already got blood on your hands?

‘From Man to Man’ is the story of how one man can change – or not – for the best. Prequel to the upcoming novel ‘It Began With Ashes’, the short (6400 words) introduces the reader to a world of suspense, intrigue, and action.
From Man to Man is a short story by D.E.M. Emrys.

Draven is a man with a past it seems. Even in the first few sentences you can tell that. And apparently it's one he's trying to forget. A few of the villagers have other plans for him though. They've got a job that needs doing and Draven is just the man to do it.

But should he do it?

The beginning had me guessing at Draven's previous occupation. I'd figured it wasn't something savory because of the internal struggle he faced just walking out the door. But you've got to give him credit for putting it behind him for the people that he cared about.

Thanks to the blacksmith we soon find out exactly what Draven used to do and it becomes incredibly clear why he wants to leave it behind. And why he can't. Why it seems to follow him no matter what job he chooses (or loses).

It all seemed to be going just a little too smoothly for my liking. But you know what they say, sometimes it's just too good to be true.

I enjoyed this. It was an extremely quick read and very easy to get through. I love the descriptions and the atmosphere of the whole story. Despite Draven's employment issues, he's a very likeable character. Even the villagers will surprise you. This is an introduction to his Wroge Elements series and I definitely look forward to reading what's to come.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Review - Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Passion. Fate. Loyalty.

Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.
Finally was able to get on the Tiger Saga train. Finished Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck today. I've wanted to read them for a while but until they were on sale for next to nothing at a bargain outlet I couldn't justify the purchase at the time. I'm glad I bought this one though. And I'm also glad there are 3 other books in the series already out... because that means that I don't have to wait to read them.

On to my review.

I loved the story. I loved the legend and the mystery behind everything. I also appreciated that we got the story behind the whole ordeal before anything else. A lot of authors sometimes stick it in the middle or try and have one of the main characters explain the back story. And unortunately a lot of times, at least for me, that leads to confusion then irritation, because of the choppiness of going back and forth between past and present.

Kelsey was a decent main character. She adapted quickly to the situations handed to her and took them with the grace of someone much older. However, I thought a lot of her dialogue was unbelievable. I've never heard an 18 year old use the term "Wily rascal" ever. A lot of the time she spoke like a normal teenager, but then there were just words here and there thrown in that made her seem.... off.

Mr. Kadam was kind and cared a great deal for both Kelsey and Ren. He was like a substitute father  for Kelsey AND for Ren.

Ren, however, was my favorite character. Maybe it was because of the heartbreak of being betrayed by his own brother (however, even Kishan grew on me after a while) over something that wasn't even his fault.

He was strong and sure of himself. He was extremely grateful for what Kelsey was doing for him, not entitled like he could have been being royalty and being that he knew she'd help him no matter what. He paid her back by caring for her and keeping her safe. Always standing by her even when she was being difficult.

I was sad about the kind of person Kelsey turned in to. Just once I would like a confident main female character in a story like this. Not one who doubts herself and then tries to push away someone who obviously cares for her. It felt like the change in her was forced. Put there as a filler or because there really were no "conflicts" aside from the curse itself. It didn't need to be there and it made absolutely no sense.

I will read the next book in the series, definitely. Kelsey's turn at the end didn't turn me off to the rest of the books. The action and suspense, especially once they were on their way in to Kishkinda, is enough for me to want to find out what happens next. I only hope that this unnecessary tantrum she's throwing doesn't follow her through the rest of the series.

This book is a great fantasy novel. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's looking for a good read... one that's not cookie cutter "love triangle" fantasy.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Library Score

I went to the library today just to fax some things for my sister and saw that it was BOOK SALE TIME again. WOO.

I scored 25 books for $12.50.

And I'm excited because I'd been trying to figure out how to get my oldest daughter started on The Babysitter's Club by Ann M. Martin. She had book 1, Kristy's Great Idea, already. But everywhere I looked the books were on sale for 4-5 dollars a piece. It would take forever to build up the series for her.

Until today.

TODAY.... 18 of the 25 books I got were Babysitter's Club! Included in the 18 are 3 of the BSC Mystery books, Logan's Story, and a Super Special that even I hadn't read. Everything is original cover too. Not the new ones. It was great.

I picked up a few books for my youngest and a few for myself, but I'll save mine for this weekend!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Missing Harry Potter

Today I kind of got the itch to watch Harry Potter again. Maybe it's seeing all the Harry Potter Halloween costumes and wishing there was one that I could buy (incidentally, I am taking my girls trick - or - treating this year as Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games). Maybe it's realizing again and again that there are no more books. No more movies. Harry Potter is done.

I don't think any book or any series will impact my life as epically as this one. I wish I could get my girls into it the way that I was. Sadly, my little one is too little and my big one just doesn't want to read them.

But I figured I would leave you all with this. Found it online, hope you enjoy.


Monday, October 8, 2012

The Walking Dead Comic Trailer

So, in honor of the new season of The Walking Dead set to premier this coming Sunday, I found a trailer using pictures from the comic and audio from the series itself.

Enjoy!


Monday, October 1, 2012

Covers Around the World - Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr has such a beautiful cover I had to do this one next.


US edition
 

German edition
 

French edition
 

Indonesian edition
 

Spanish edition
 

another English language edition
 

Turkish edition
 

Romanian edition
 

Italian edition
 
Got a favorite?

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